President Trump’s rare “pocket rescission” to slash $5 billion in foreign aid has ignited fierce backlash from Senate Republicans, exposing a rift that risks both government funding and core constitutional principles.
Story Highlights
- Trump’s unilateral rescission faces bipartisan opposition, including key Republican appropriators.
- Senate GOP leaders warn the move could derail spending negotiations and trigger a government shutdown.
- Critics allege the maneuver undermines Congress’s constitutional power over federal spending.
- The dispute threatens both conservative priorities and U.S. international commitments.
Trump’s $5 Billion Pocket Rescission Sparks GOP Division
In late August 2025, President Trump formally notified Congress of his plan to use a little-known “pocket rescission” authority to cancel nearly $5 billion in previously approved federal funding, primarily targeting foreign aid through agencies like USAID and the State Department. This executive action, rarely used in modern history, was intended to curb what the administration views as wasteful spending and reassert the president’s control over the federal purse ahead of the October 1 government funding deadline. However, significant portions of the Republican Senate caucus quickly voiced concerns about the legality and potential fallout of bypassing Congress in this manner.
Senior Republican appropriators, including Senators Lisa Murkowski, Susan Collins, and Mike Rounds, have publicly broken ranks with Trump over the pocket rescission. Murkowski labeled the action “unlawful,” while Collins called it a “clear violation of the law.” Rounds warned the move would give Democrats justification to refuse cooperation on essential appropriations bills, heightening the risk of a government shutdown. These senators argue that the Constitution grants Congress—not the president—the power to allocate and rescind federal funds, and that undermining this principle could damage bipartisan efforts crucial for passing spending bills and maintaining government operations.
Constitutional Authority and Separation of Powers at Stake
The controversy centers on the constitutional balance of power between the executive and legislative branches. Historically, rescission—the cancellation of previously approved funds—requires Congressional approval. Trump’s deployment of the pocket rescission, which attempts to unilaterally cancel funds without explicit legislative consent, has alarmed both parties. Critics assert this approach encroaches on Congress’s exclusive “power of the purse,” raising the specter of executive overreach. Legal experts and appropriations committee leaders warn that, if allowed to stand, this maneuver could set a precedent eroding Congressional authority and inviting future abuses of executive power, directly threatening core constitutional safeguards that conservatives have long defended.
Bipartisan opposition to the rescission has intensified as the October 1 funding deadline looms. Appropriators from both sides, including Democratic Senator Dick Durbin, stress the need for Congressional unity to uphold the separation of powers. The move has not only complicated negotiations but has also led to heightened tensions within the GOP, with some Trump loyalists supporting stronger executive authority while institutionalists prioritize legislative control and adherence to constitutional norms.
Risks to Conservative Priorities and U.S. Commitments
The fallout from this executive action extends beyond internal party politics. If Congress cannot pass spending bills in time, the federal government faces a shutdown that would disrupt essential agencies, jeopardize pay for government employees, and potentially undermine U.S. credibility abroad. Agencies like USAID and the State Department, which rely on the targeted funds for international development and peacekeeping work, face sudden and severe budget cuts. Critics also warn that undermining legislative authority over spending could embolden future administrations—regardless of party—to sidestep Congress on issues vital to conservative voters, such as border security, gun rights, and fiscal restraint.
Senate Republicans Splitting With Trump Over $5B Rescission #Senate #Republicans #Senaterepublicans #SenateDemocrats #DonaldTrumphttps://t.co/lGgzid261i
— Philip Graves (@PGraves72955) September 3, 2025
Despite Trump’s pledge to rein in globalist spending, many conservatives see respect for the Constitution and the rule of law as non-negotiable. The episode highlights the challenge of balancing executive action with foundational principles. As appropriations experts and legal scholars have noted, the courts may ultimately be asked to resolve the dispute, especially given the bipartisan consensus that the rescission could violate established law. The weeks ahead will test whether Congress can assert its authority and avoid a shutdown—while preserving the very separation of powers that sustains American self-government.
Sources:
Senate Republicans Splitting With Trump Over $5B Rescission
Trump government shutdown: Pocket rescission splits Senate GOP, risks shutdown
